Windsor Turf staff would like to notify all customers that we have received our first frost for the year. No matter what type of warm season turf grass, frost will damage the plant by freezing its cell structure and reshaping it once thawed – thus killing the leaf.

Windsor Turf’s farm is located in the Hawkesbury Valley, unfortunately being exposed to the harsh winter climate. We receive quite a few frosts on our paddocks over this period and these frosts will push all of our warm season turf varieties into dormancy. During their dormant stage not much growth will be seen and the grass leaf will brown off due to frost burn.

This is not a reason to put off installing your lawn over the winter time. Our best performer, Sir Walter Buffalo, will unfortunately discolour due to the frost but it will make a strong return to its luscious green growth in the spring. The roots will establish slowly over this cooler period, using less water than during the warmer weather and once the soils heat up again your grass leaf will flourish and the mature root system will allow the turf to cope with the warmer weather.

For already established lawns, there are a few things you can do to promote the healthy appearance of your Sir Walter during winter.

Raise the height of your mower in the lead up to winter. Having a longer leaf over the cooler months will assist in your battle with frosts. Frost will generally only burn the tip of the grass leaf. Once affected you can simple mow off the tip of the leaf, leaving a predominantly greener lawn.

Keeping your grass longer over winter will keep it greener by allowing more photosynthesis to take place. The longer leaf will also warm up the soil to defend against any frost.

Using fertilisers to promote root development, like Seasol, will ensure a healthy turf plant over winter. Although you may not see any change in the colour of the leaf, the overall vigour of the Sir Walter will improve.

If you receive a frost on your lawn minimise all traffic over the affected area. The frost will burn the tip of the leaf regardless. If you walk or drive over that area whilst it is covered in frost you will most likely kill the walked on area. Do not go on the lawn until the frost has thawed.